Investigating Diet Aids

We've all seen them - the infomercials, commercials, and print ads pushing the latest in diet aids. These slickly produced bits push all the right buttons. They promise renewed youth, sleek bodies, and ever-lasting health. Is it possible that weight loss and perfect bodies are available to us through juice, pills, and electronic zappers?

"20/20," an ABC Television Network program, presented a segment on diet aids in March, 2002.^* Reporter Arnold Diaz spent several months investigating the claims made by companies selling electronic muscle stimulators, pills, "miracle" juice diets, and lose weight while you sleep supplements. Their report is the basis of this article.

Electronic Muscle Stimulators - How tempting! Exercise accomplished simply by strapping on a belt or attaching electrodes. Is it possible? It is if you believe these claims.

The Abtronic infomercial claims that wearing their belt produces results much better than just exercise alone. The spokesperson points to a University of Maryland study to back up the claim. When Mr. Diaz spoke with the man who conducted the study and asked if electronic muscle stimulators could, indeed, cause muscle contractions strong enough to produce a "ripped look," he was told that the claim was "laughable," that what was needed for that was good genes, very little body fat, and lots of exercise.

Diaz spoke to the producer of the Abtronic infomercial and learned that the models in the ad hadn't really used the device. They were hired for their looks for what the producer called "fantasy shots."

Another electronic muscle stimulator, the AbEnergizer, promises to turn "flab to rock hard abs." Read the fine print. The company president says they promote the product as an exerciser, not a weight loss device. He says the "before" and "after" photos showing amazing weight loss carry no implication that the device actually produces these results. For that effect, you are expected to purchase their "system," which includes a low calorie diet, pills, and an exercise program. Oh, and the "before" and "after" photos sometimes aren't even of the same body. When they are, the photos are almost always enhanced and air brushed.

What about the testimonials so prominent for these products? The woman in the Abtronic commercial was a fitness instructor with an already buff body before being asked by Abtronics to promote their product. She admitted to having posed with a very relaxed posture for the "before" shot, then dieting and exercising for the "after" photo. The exercise included "inconsistent" use of the device.

Bottom line - electronic muscle stimulators cause minor muscle contractions that do not produce noticeable improvement in strength or looks.

Fat Trapping Pills - The claim with these little beauties is that they attract fat like a magnet, glomming onto the fat and carrying it out of our systems. This supposedly causes weight loss without diet and exercise. Very, very little weight, if any, is lost using these pills. Read the fine print. The tiny print disclaimer recommends a program of diet and exercise.

Hollywood Miracle Juice Diet - This one promises a weight loss of up to ten pounds in 48 hours. Dr. Louis Arronne of the Cornell Medical Center questions that claim by pointing out the obvious - there is no way to lose 10 pounds of fat in such a short time, that any perceived weight loss is actually dehydration. The juice costs $25 a bottle. Drink it all weekend without eating and you will lose $25 a bottle, a lot of fluids, and nothing else.

Mr. Diaz spoke with four women who had appeared in testimonials for this diet. None had kept the weight off. "As soon as you put solid food in your mouth you gain it right back."

Lose Weight While You Sleep - Body Solutions promises you can eat anything you want, as much as you want. It is a powder that is mixed with water and taken before bedtime. Testimonials claim weight losses of up to and over 100 pounds. Though not mentioned in the commercials, the product comes with a low calorie diet and exercise program that users are to follow to achieve weight loss.

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Despite claims made by these and a myriad of other companies, there are no easy fixes. The $30 billion a year diet industry is expert at creating fantasy fixes. Not one of them is effective at producing long-term, substantial, and healthful weight loss.

We spend that billions of dollars a year chasing the non-existent perfect body. When we give up the fantasy, become skeptical consumers, and begin to work for improved health at any size, we take control of our lives.

^*"20/20," aired March 1st, 2002, ABC Television Network "Perfect Bodies: Fat Chance" Arnold Diaz reporting.